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As he traveled throughout the area as an itinerant jeweler, he became friends with another budding itinerant merchant, F. M. Kirby. They talked about going into business together but could not agree on what to sell. Bartikowsky wanted to sell gold, silver and diamonds; Kirby wanted to sell pots and pans. Kirby went on to become one of the founders of the largest five- and-dime store chain in the world.
Max Bartikowsky traveled around Wyoming Valley selling jewelry until 1905 when he established a store on Main Street in Kingston. The location changed from the east side to the west side of the Susquehanna River and back again.
In 1927 Max’s son Bernard took over the company upon his death. Bernard purchased a three story building on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre in 1948. Bernard’s sons Leonard and Max joined the business, as did his son-in-law Jay Karnofsky.
In 1957 Bartikowsky’s became one of the early pioneers on catalog showroom merchandising by publishing a four-color catalog.
The catalog sales produced a large spurt in growth. The catalog years ended with the 1988 edition. Since, the shift was towards a fine jewelry and gift store.
In 1972 the Agnes Flood devastated the Wyoming Valley. The store was displaced to a temporary location until the corporation bought a large building in 1978, the current location.
Bernard Bartikowsky died in 1990 at the age of 92 still very active in the business. His son Leonard retired in 1994 and his son-in-law, Jay Karnofsky, the corporation’s long time President retired in 1999.
Jay’s son-in-law, Mac Ahmad, current Vice-President/COO of the Corporation, joined the business 25 years ago. In this time the store has been computerized, a website created and dramatic changes have been made in the stores showroom and general appearance. Along with Jay’s daughter Lynn Karnofsky-Ahmad (Secretary-Treasurer) and Max Bartikowsky, Bernard’s youngest son and current President/CEO they assure the business continues to run on a steady course of a new era and the family flare of the old one.
The large 13,000 sq. foot showroom has a wide selection of beautiful diamonds, traditional and contemporary jewelry, watches, fine crystal, china and giftware and an extensive estate department.
Bartikowsky’s prides itself on customer service and satisfaction. There are watch and jewelry repair shops on the premises offering all types of repairs and services including custom creative designing.
Every customer is treated with respect and courtesy and given personal service. Every customer’s complaint is handled by one of the owners. We have many graduates of the Gemological Institute of America: a certified gemologist; many from the diamond courses; a pearl specialist and from colored stone courses.
In addition to its great selection of new merchandise, Bartikowsky’s has a large annual Estate Sale in May at which it liquidates repurchased diamonds, jewelry, precious stones, gold and silver that it has accumulated throughout the year.
The company and owners, past and present have been very active in the community returning to it what they have been given over the past 117 years.
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